Icons are reminders of the spiritual world. They are
windows into eternity; a holy space depicting sacred
reality in the course of humanity.
Iconography is the Bible in Art and theology in
color. The bible and iconography along with prayer of
the heart are the gates into the mystery of Orthodox
Christian spirituality. Icons serve as "windows
into heaven" depicting our Christian history
reflecting images of Christ, the Virgin Mary, the
Apostles and other holy and heroic Christians of the
past.
The icons found in Orthodox Churches are a
celebration of the fact that Jesus Christ is indeed
the Word made flesh (John 1:1-14). As the 7th
Ecumenical Council held in Nicea in 787 proclaimed:
"Icons
are in colors what the Scripture
are in words: witnesses to the Incarnation,
the fact that God has come among us
as a person whom we can see, touch
and hear, to offer us the new life
and begin the new creation."
The eyes in an icon
are made large and animated because they have seen
great things. The ears are also made large to hear
the commands of the Lord. The nose is made long and
thin, therefore it doesn't smell the things of this
world only spiritual fragrances. The mouth is small,
since there is less importance on physical food and
drink (fasting), and more importance on spiritual
food "the Word of God." The halo encircling
the head of Christ or the saint depicts the radiant
light of the their divinity.
Orthodox Christians do not worship icons, of course;
worship is for God alone. But we do venerate them,
believing that the honor given to the icon passes on
to the person it images. Just as pictures of our
loved ones in our wallets or homes remind us of real
people and significant events, icons are the same
reminder of those we honor and love. Icons image
those who have loved God and sacrificed their lives
for Him. They are sacred friends and events
representing a world regenerated by divine grace.
They are the saints who exemplify human potential at
its finest.
Icons are a part of the Orthodox Christian worship
and prayer, lifting the heart and mind into God's
heavenly kingdom. Churches represent a celebration in
color and form of God's presence in His Church. Icons
also revere a place of honor in our homes to which we
direct our prayerful attention either as individuals
or as families.
Tom Tsagalakis
Iconography
10606 - 9th Avenue NW
Seattle, WA 98177
(206) 522-6958
email: t.tsagalakis@comcast.net
